Upright deciduous to sometimes partially evergreen shrubs.  The leaves are ovate-lanceolate to elliptic with pronounced venation.  The funnel-shaped flowers appear before the newly emerging foliage in mid-spring.  They are rose to purple and spotted.  An unusual azalea with an incredible natural range including Taiwan and most of southern and eastern China.  Occurs in various habitats from 1,200 to 6,300 ft.  Rarely seen in cultivation and quite tolerant of heat.